A whole Verse today, for our meditation …

“And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again.” 1st Samuel 5:3

I love Old Testament history! And the Stories (all of them true) of Israel’s life as a Nation intrigue me.

Ashdod, mentioned above, was one of the main Philistine cities of the past. Thus, it was symbolic of Israel’s enemies. But notice in our Text that the Philistines then (another Story) possessed the “Ark of the Lord,” the very “Ark of the Covenant!” This is where God sat and reigned and inhabited Isarel! Where the Shekinah Glory once hovered and rested!

Note where God has been placed. In the vicinity of the world’s god, here named “Dagon!” (Half fish, half man!)

I’m not a theological expert, but I do know that the True God of Israel, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, will NOT permanently coexist with some heathen so-called deity.

Nonetheless the two (the Real GOD and the false god) spent the night under the same roof … BUT LOOK WHAT THE PHILISTINES FOUND THE NEXT MORNING!

“And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD.”

Wow!

The man-made god had fallen prostrate before our God! Before the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob!

Hence my lesson title today … THE POWER OF GOD!

Some day not only false gods … but also every human being will fall before Him and proclaim Him Lord!

God Himself says so! Listen … “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” Isaiah 45:23

Now, that’s POWER!

And dear reader here this morning, that Power is available to you! Right now! To help you navigate life week after week after week, all the days of your being in fact!

Oh, back to our Story … soon afterward … the very next verse in Samuel … “And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.”

As I said … POWER!

“Cut off” this time!

No wonder Paul can confidently write: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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